the snap general election thread

ThinkingOutLoud_2

gfplux wrote: »

Amazing, we have common ground.
I can not for the life of me understand how this strange practice has grown up in Britain. The NHS hog tied by the "free at delivery " mantra making ANY discussion about money impossible and then the NHS ADD to the costs by providing free official, expensive, translation in a number of languages. (How many can someone tell us)
Britain must be the only country in the world that provides this service.

I guess it depends little what is being translated. So as you acknowledge - you get by abroad.

But what if you were legitimately in the UK and still learning the intricacies of language 3 years in and your child was in intensive care and the doctor needed to explain the pro's and con's of an operation; for you to decide if they proceed? Would you then be happy getting by understanding one word in three?

I agree with the sentiment that the aim should be for English - but I think in reality there are other needs we can and should take account of.

I also think by way of counter-example that where these services are for those on holiday ...that they or their medical insurance should for provide / pay for this not the NHS.

Life is more granular.

ukcarper

gfplux wrote: »

Please vote. It does not matter who you vote for but you should vote. You live in a Democracy take part in it.

I don't agree I've only got 4 candidates and I really can't bring myself to vote for any of them, I could spoil my paper but I see that as pointless. I've always voted in the past but to be honest my vote has never made any difference.

Enterprise_1701C

ThinkingOutLoud wrote: »

I guess it depends little what is being translated. So as you acknowledge - you get by abroad.

But what if you were legitimately in the UK and still learning the intricacies of language 3 years in and your child was in intensive care and the doctor needed to explain the pro's and con's of an operation; for you to decide if they proceed? Would you then be happy getting by understanding one word in three?

I agree with the sentiment that the aim should be for English - but I think in reality there are other needs we can and should take account of.

I also think by way of counter-example that where these services are for those on holiday ...that they or their medical insurance should for provide / pay for this not the NHS.

Life is more granular.

If I were 3 years in on living in a foreign country I would hope to be fluent because I would take part in society, go shopping, do all the things needed to become a part of society in the country I want to live in.

If you do not understand then you should either take someone with you that does, or pay for a translator. That is what we would have to do in another country.

gfplux

ThinkingOutLoud wrote: »

I guess it depends little what is being translated. So as you acknowledge - you get by abroad.

But what if you were legitimately in the UK and still learning the intricacies of language 3 years in and your child was in intensive care and the doctor needed to explain the pro's and con's of an operation; for you to decide if they proceed? Would you then be happy getting by understanding one word in three?

I agree with the sentiment that the aim should be for English - but I think in reality there are other needs we can and should take account of.

I also think by way of counter-example that where these services are for those on holiday ...that they or their medical insurance should for provide / pay for this not the NHS.

Life is more granular.

There are always the exception but that exception has created a multi million pound cost to the NHS.
If someone is in the country legitimately for three years the local community can provide translation for those serious cases.
While translators are provided there is no insentive to do anything about it.
I am not trying to be harsh, people do need help but when finances are being cut starting this strange practice of providing professional expensive translators was a mistake and appears to have grown like topsy.

gfplux

ukcarper wrote: »

I don't agree I've only got 4 candidates and I really can't bring myself to vote for any of them, I could spoil my paper but I see that as pointless. I've always voted in the past but to be honest my vote has never made any difference.

All votes carry a weight. It might alone be inconsequential but added together they are the "elephant in the room" when policy is being discussed and changed.

ThinkingOutLoud_2

Enterprise_1701C wrote: »

If I were 3 years in on living in a foreign country I would hope to be fluent because I would take part in society, go shopping, do all the things needed to become a part of society in the country I want to live in.

If you do not understand then you should either take someone with you that does, or pay for a translator. That is what we would have to do in another country.

Yes that is rather the point - hearing the medical intricacies and risks of surgery is not usually something that you can grasp because you can order a coffee. Often, those who have only ever spoken English may struggle to understand.

When your child is rushed into hospital or the moment during the day when the consultant doing their rounds before theatre is able to talk to you - it is not so easy to magic up a friend from 20 miles away.

Having the funds to pay for a translator assumes a certain level of income which may be threatened if you are by your child's hospital bed for weeks...

It is true this is not every case - but bland and brutal condemnation seems misplaced without understanding.

I totally agree that we should not over-compensate and pander to this - but I think having a heart in the right case is also not so much of a bad thing.

IveSeenTheLight

General election poll: Tories will fall 22 seats short of a majority, says latest YouGov model

The poll of polls however show a Conservative majority, marginally increasing their seats from 330 to 347 and with a 3% margin of error either way, will likely increase their majority anywhere to gain between 336 and 357 seats.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the outcomes are for tomorrows vote.

ukcarper

gfplux wrote: »

All votes carry a weight. It might alone be inconsequential but added together they are the "elephant in the room" when policy is being discussed and changed.

Don't agree if you live in a really safe seat and you don't support winning party your vote is pretty much meaning less. I can honestly say that I feel my vote has never made a difference and I don't see how voting for someone whose policies you are not happy with is a good use of my vote, it is posible to use your right not to vote in a democracy, perhaps there should be another box on paper.

posh*spice

Corbyn has chucked Diane Abbott under a bus - and appointed Lyn Brown as home sec - who??????

:rotfl::rotfl:

Enterprise_1701C

ThinkingOutLoud wrote: »

Yes that is rather the point - hearing the medical intricacies and risks of surgery is not usually something that you can grasp because you can order a coffee. Often, those who have only ever spoken English may struggle to understand.

When your child is rushed into hospital or the moment during the day when the consultant doing their rounds before theatre is able to talk to you - it is not so easy to magic up a friend from 20 miles away.

Having the funds to pay for a translator assumes a certain level of income which may be threatened if you are by your child's hospital bed for weeks...

It is true this is not every case - but bland and brutal condemnation seems misplaced without understanding.

I totally agree that we should not over-compensate and pander to this - but I think having a heart in the right case is also not so much of a bad thing.

Then maybe there should be some form of insurance brought in, pay for that insurance if you cannot understand English, get a translator.

The simple thing is that if we were in, for example, an Arabic country and were ill they would not pay for a translator for us.

We also need to put a stop to deliberate health tourists, those that fly in, get off the plane, then go straight to A&E to avoid having to pay for expensive surgery at home.

Oh, and we need to ensure any tourists actually have travel insurance - how many just don't bother because of our NHS?